The perfect geometry and exquisite beauty of nature is nowhere so clear to us as in the snowflake. But how have we been able to appreciate this infinitesimal wonder in all its crystalline glory? This book, as much a work of art as a testament to science, reveals how one of the snowflake’s most inspired photographers came to such intimate knowledge of his craft and its fleeting focus. Beautiful pictures illustrate Kenneth Libbrecht’s story of the microphotography of snow crystals, from the pioneering work of Wilson Bentley in the 1890s right up to Ken’s own innovations in our age of digital images. A breathtaking look at the works of art that melt in an instant, this is a book to page through and savor, season after season.

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Book Description:

As much a work of art as a testament to science, this book reveals how one of the snowflake’s most inspired photographers came to his intimate knowledge of his craft and its fleeting focus. Beautiful pictures illustrate Kenneth Libbrecht’s story of the microphotography of snow crystals, from the pioneering work of Wilson Bentley in the 1890s right up to Ken’s own innovations in our age of digital images. A breathtaking look at the works of art that melt in an instant, this is a book to page through and savor, season after season.

From the Inside Flap:

Dr. Kenneth Libbrecht’s incredible snowflake microphotography captures real snowflakes in full color and incredible detail. His work has been hailed around the world by everyone from the National Geographic to the New York Times. His images have appeared on U.S. Postal Service stamps and in museum collections.

Now, his newest and best images are collected here, in The Art of the Snowflake, a photographic album that will amaze all.

Snowflakes appear literally out of thin air. They are born high above us within grey winter clouds, where the simple act of freezing turns formless water vapor into spectacular crystalline ice sculptures. They grow and develop as they drift slowly to Earth, where Libbrecht intercepts their fall and uses microphotography to capture these fleeting works of natural art.

As he states, “Photographing snowflakes is always enjoyable because there are so many different types, with no two exactly alike. Each new snowfall is another world to explore, and I still often find novel specimens. The snow may seem rather unvaried to the naked eye, but the microscope reveals an amazing menagerie of beautiful crystalline forms.”

“The man is a doctor of snowflakes.” —Chicago Tribune

“Libbrecht knows snow…both the science and beauty. Libbrecht is deeply immersed in the magnificent, marvelous, mysterious world of snowflakes.” —Salt Lake City Deseret News